Power washing cream separator with rack type metering valve



April 12 1955 J. R. oRELlND ETAL 2,705,970

POWER WASHING CREAM SEPARATOR WITH RACK TYPE METERING VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 24, 1953 A rro'R/VEY April 12, 1955 J. R. oRELlND ETAL POWER WASHING CREAM SEPARATOR WITH RACK TYPE METERING VALVE Filed July24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 29 /NI/EA/roRs lJoH/v R. @REU/v0 w/L/AM H. HARsr/c/f ATTORNEY POWER WASHING CREAM SEPARATOR WITH RACK TYPE METERING VALVE John R. Orelind, Wilmette, and William H. Harstick, Oak

Park, Ill., assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application July 24, 1953, Serial No. 370,119

Claims. (Cl. 137-238) United States Patent This invention relates to an improvement in a power washing cream separator. More particularly, the invention relates to a metering valve for controlling the discharge of liquid from a supply can to the separating bowl of a power washing cream separator.

In W. H. Harsticks Patent 2,504,261, patented April 18, 1950, a power washing cream separator is disclosed. In general, a separator of this type includes a separating bowl which is provided with a peripheral discharge valve for controlling the discharge of a washing liquid from the bowl. The separator comprises a supply can which includes a discharge tube. The discharge tube is also provided with a milk-feed tube which has an annular shoulder for normally closing the discharge tube during the separating operation. In order to secure a controlled steady ow of liquid to the separating bowl, a metering valve is provided. The metering valve is eective, during the lowering of the liquid level within the supply can, to progressively open the milk-feed tube thereby permitting a constant amount of liquid to tlow into the separating bowl despite the lowering of the liquid head in the supply can. The metering valve, as shown in the patent, is also effective to displace the milk-feed tube from the discharge tube to permit controlled quantities of washing liquid to enter through the discharge tube and through the milk-feed tube for effectively cleansing the separating bowl.

It is a prime object of this invention to provide an improved metering valve for directing and controlling the flow of liquids from a supply can intothe separating bowl of a power washing cream separator.

It is a still further object to provide an improved metering valve for power washing cream separators, the valve including a vertically movable metering member having a tapered metering surface adapted to be moved relative to the opening of a milk-feed tube for controlling the ow of liquids through said tube.

A still further object is to provide an improved metering valve for power washing cream separators, the valve including a metering member having a rack arm connected thereto, the rack arm being vertically movable with respect to a milk-feed tube for controlling the movement of the metering member relative to the opening of the milk-feed tube, the valve further including a pinion engageable with the rack, the said pinion being movable by means of a oat in response to the lowering of the liquid level within the supply can of the separator. Further and more specic objects will become readily apparent from a reading of the specification when examined in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a power washing, cream separator and metering valve arrangement, the View having certain portions broken awayto show, in section, pertinentpartsfof the invention;- Y .v

Figure 42 -is'a sectional View through portions of a cream separator showing a supply can and a metering valve arrangement; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the supply can shown in Figure 2, also disclosing a metering valve assembly.

Referring particularly to Figure l, a power washing l cream separator is generally designated by the reference character 10. The cream separator 10 comprises a separating bowl 11 having a conventional disk pack 12. The disk pack 12 includes a centrally disposed receiving tion, indicated in dotted lines in Figure l.

2,705,970 Patented Apr. 12, 1955 space 13 which is in communication with a distributor 14. A downwardly extending cream outlet 15 is in communication with the receiving space 13. The bowl 11 is also provided with a skim-milk outlet 16 for withdrawing skim milk from the receiving space 13.

A washing liquid discharge outlet 17 is provided at the outer peripheral edge of the separating bowl 11. A ring valve 18, of resilient construction, is positioned adjacent the discharge outlet 17, this construction being more specifically described in the above-mentioned patent. A tinware construction 19 surrounds the separating bowl 11. The tinware construction 19 includes a skim-milk receiving chamber 20 and a cream receiving chamber 21. A drive spindle 22 is suitably connected to a power unit (not shown) for driving the cream separating bowl in a conventional fashion.

A supply can 23 is positioned above the separating bowl l1 and a discharge outlet 24 is connected to the lower end of the can 23 for discharging liquids from said can. 1

Referring now particularly to Figures l to 3 inclusive, a metering valve assembly is designated at 25. The valve assembly 25 includes a milk-feed tube 26 which is supported on, and disposed within the discharge outlet tube 24. The milk-feed tube 26 includes a projecting tubular portion 27 having a lesser cross-sectional diameter than the discharge tube 24. Upon axial partial withdrawal of the feed tube 26, the projecting tube 27 forms with the discharge tube 24, a washing liquid discharge passage 28 and a milk-feed passage 29. The milk-feed tube 26 also includes an annular enlargement or sealing shoulder 30 which, as indicated in Figure l, is adapted to engage the upper end of the discharge tube 24 in sealing engagement. A support, generally designated at 31, is connected to the feed tube 26 and extends upwardly within the supply can 23.

The support 31 includes a pair of laterally spaced upright supporting members 32 connected at their lower ends to the milk-feed tube 26. The upper ends of the supporting members 32 are connnected to a pivot block or pivot support 33, as best indicated in Figure 3. The pivot support 33 includes a projecting corner 34 from which a pin 35 extends in laterally spaced and parallel relation with respect to the support 33.

A metering member is designated at 36. The metering member includes an annular tapering metering surface 37. The metering surface 37 may also be described as having a progressively less cross-sectional dimension than the cross-sectional dimension of the milk-feed tube 26. The metering member 36 also includes at its upper end an annular sealing enlargement 38. A rack arm 39 is connected to the upper end of the metering member 36. The rack arm 39 is provided at its upper end with a rack 40 comprising a plurality of teeth 41.

A float arm 42 is disposed within the supply can 23, the arm 42 including a pinion member 43 which is movable with the float arm 42. The pinion 43 also includes a shoulder or llat portion comprising a stop 44. The pinion 43 includes teeth 45 adapted to mesh with the teeth 41 of the rack 40. The float arm 42 has at one end, as best shown in Figure 3, a laterally extending pivot part 46 which is suitably journalled within a pivot bore 47 of the pivot support 33. The iloat arm 42 is also provided with a oat 48.

During the conventional cream separating operation, it is desired to supply a controlled and steady quantity of whole milk through the feed tube 26 and to the space 13 of the separating bowl 11. In the dotted line position, shown in Figure l, the float arm 42 has been moved to a substantially upright position wherein the rack arm 39 is moved to its extreme lowermost position and the sealing enlargement 38 is in engagement with the feed tube 26 to close the milk-feed passage 29. The stop 44 of the pinion 43 has been pivoted into engagement with the projecting corner 34 and thus maintains the oat arm 42 in the substantially upright, though slightly tilted posi- During the separating operation, the arm 42 is pivoted so that the float 4S rests on the top of the liquid within the supply can 23. The clockwise movement of the oat arm 42 causes the rack arm 39 and the metering member 36 to move axially or slightly upwardly with respect to the milk-feedI tube l26 and Whole milk can now descend through the feed tube 26 into the separating bowl 11. As the liquid level descends within the supply can 2.5, thehead-pressureis, of course-decreased'and in ordcrto get Jthe fsame amount o f liquid through the milk-feed tube, it is necessary Vto 'displace the vmetering surface 37 axially, thereby 'enlargingn the opening afforded by the milk-feed "tube 26. This lis raccomplished progressively by thefurther clockwise movement of the float arm 42 which Vcauses Vfurther 4vertical movement of the rack arm 39 as -Ithe `liquidlevel descends within the supply can 23.

Asindicatedjin yFigure '1, when Ithe supply can 23 4has been substantially drained, ,the-oat 48 is in the position indicated and the metering member 36 is displaced to its maximum open position.

In the vkfull line position of the metering member 36, shown in Figure 2, the metering surface 37 has been partially displaced relative to the upper end of the feed tube 26 land Ain this position approximately one-third of the liquid within the supply can 23 has been discharged. In'the dotted lineposition, shown in Figure 2, the operator has grasped the V'lloat arm 42 and has lifted the same vertically bodily, thereby also moving the milkfeed AAtube 26 axially vwith :respect 'to the discharge tube 2'4. In rthis position the washing liquid discharge passage 28 is opened since the shoulder 30 has been removed from the top of the discharge tube 24. This arrangementlis accomplished during the washing operation of the separating bowl and it is desired to have washing liquid descend both through the milk-feed tube 26 or passage 29 and also through the passage 28 of the discharge tube 24. '1`hus,'in'the.dotted line position of Figure 2, the

metering member36 has vbeen axially displaced a suflicient degree to permit a certain amount of washing liquid 'to descend through the milk-feed passage 29. Thus,'the discharge passage 28 has also beenopened and Washing liquid can descend from the supply can 23.

'The stnlcture disclosed is simple 4in operation and also may be readily washed. In order to remove the metering assembly for washing, .the whole assembly is raised vertically with respect to the supply can 23. The float arm.42 may now be pivoted in a clockwise direction to agreater degree than shown in Figure 1, so that the end or lowermost tooth .45 of the pinion 43 may be pivoted upwardly beyond the pin 35 so that the oat arm 42 and pivot part 46 may be withdrawn from the pivot bore 47. The rack arm "3 9, including the metering member 3 6, may now 'be separated from the feed tube 26 and support ,31 to permit washing .of the parts. In the reassembled position the pin 35 engages one side of the pinion 43 to prevent .lateral displacement of the pivot .part 46 with respect to the bore-47.

VIt can now'be seen that an eiective and novel metering valve assembly has been disclosed and described. vmust be understood that changes and lmodifications may be made without departingefrom thezspirit of the invention,as disclosed'or V thescope thereofas defined in the appended claims.

v1. Ina power washing cream separator including a supply can1 .and a discharge tube connected to said can fordischargingmilk vvand `washing liquid from said can; v a metering valve comprising a A milk-feed tube disposed ,Within said discharge tube, said feed tube having itsv outer peripheral surface laterally spaced from the inner surk'face of said discharge tube to provide a washing liquid discharge passage and a 4milk-feed lpassage within said .f discharge tube, a shoulder on said milk-feed tube for en- .gaging and closinggsaid washingliquid passage, a support including -a Apair of -`upwardly extending laterally spaced.supportingmembers connected to jsai d 1ni lkfeed tube,fametering.membervvertically movable betweensaid :,supportingmembers, ,said -gmetering member having an -outer peripheral metering :surface tapering to a lesser cross-sectional r diameter -thanfsaidfeed tube, an annular projection o n said ,metering member, a rack arm connected to sai'dvmeteringmemben a vfloat arm lpivotally connected to said support, a oat on said'iioat arm,.and a pinion on said float armengagingfsaid rack arm, 4said .metering member beinggmovable from a mating position Awith said milkfeedgpassagefwherein :said projection en- .f-gagessaidfeediube in sealingrelatiom bysaid oat arm progressively upwardly during .alowering ,of the liquid level in said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said feed passage and the discharge of liquid -is controlled therethrough.

2. In a power washing `cream separator including a supply can, and a discharge tube connected to said can for discharging milk and washing liquid from said can; a metering valve comprising a milk-feed tube disposed within said discharge tube to provide a washing liquid discharge passage and a milk-feed passage, means `on said milk-feed tube for Aengaging and closing said washing liquid passage, a .support including a pair ,0f uP- wardly extending laterally Lspaced vsupporting members connected to said milk-feed'-tube, -a Vmetering member vertically movable between saidl supporting members, said memberhavingan outer peripheral metering surface tapering to a lesser cross-sectional diameter than said feed tube, a rack arm connected tosaid metering member, a float arm pivotally connected to said support, a float on said oat arm, and a pinion o n said iioatarm engaging said rack arm, said metering 'member 'being movable 'from a mating lposition with said milk-'feed passage by said float arm progressively upwardly during a lowering of the 'liquid'level in 'said can'wherebyV said metering surface is Jmoved relative to said feed passage and Vthe ldischarge of 'liquid is .controlled ltherethrough.

3. 'In Ia power Washing .cream separator including a supply can, and a discharge "tube connected to saidcan for discharging milk and Washing liquid from said can; a metering valve comprising a milk-feed tube disposed within said discharge tube vto provide a discharge passage and a milk-feed passage, a support connected to 'said milk-feed tube, a metering member vertically movable with respect to said support, said member having an outer peripheral metering surface tapering to ,a llesser cross-sectional diameter 'than said ,feed tube, a rack arm connected uto said metering member, a oat arm pivotally connected to said support, a iioat on'said float arm, and a pinion on said float arm lengaging lsaid rack arm, said metering member being movable from a mating position with said milk-feed passage bysaid tloat arm p rogressively upwardly duringa lowering of theliquid 'level in said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said Vfeed passage and 'the discharge of liquid is controlled therethrough.

4. In a power washing cream separator including a supply can, and a discharge tube .connected to said can for discharging milk and washing .liquid from said can; a vmetering valve comprising a milk-feed tube clisposed within said discharge tube -to provide a discharge passage and a milk-feed passage, a ysupport connected to said vmilk-feed tube, a metering member vertically movable relative to -said support, said member having an youter peripheral metering surface, a rack arm connected to said metering member, a 'oat arm pivotally connected to said support, a lioat on said oat arm, and a pinion on said float armengagingsaidjrack arm, said metering Amember being movable from a vmating -position with said milk-feed passage'by said oat arm progressively upwardly during a Vlowering vof lthe liquid level in said can wherebyfsaid metering surface'is moved relative 'to said feed passage and 'the discharge of liquid is controlled therethrough.

v5. In a power washing cream separator including la supply can, and a discharge `-tube' connected 'to said can vfor discharging Lmilk Varidwashing liquid :from salti can; a metering Vvalve comprising a milk-feed Atube :associated with vsaid discharge tube, a support connected to said milk-feed tube, a metering member vertically movable relative to said support, said member having an outer peripheral metering surface, a rack arm connected to said metering members, a oat arm pivotally connected to said support, a iioat-onsaid iloat arm, and .a pinion 4-on said float arm engaging said rack arm, said metering member being movable relative ,to -saijd feed tube by said 4 iioat arm progressively yupwardly iduring a 'lowering ofthe liquidlevelgin said can -wherebysaid metering surface is moved relative to said feed tube and the discharge of liquid is controlled therethrough.

6. In a cream .separator including a supply .can and a discharge tube for discharging liquid from -said sup- ;Ply can; a metering valve assembly Comprisiugamillifeed .tube disposed within said discharge tube and ,pro-

viding :therewith first and second concentric passages, a support Vcontested VVto -said feed tube, vSaid .Support extending upwardly within said supply can, a rack arm positioned adjacent said support for relative vertical movement, a metering member connected to said rack arm for movement therewith, said metering member including an annular tapering metering surface adapted to move axially within said first passage, a oat arm pivotally connected to said support, a pinion movable by said float arm, a toat on said iioat arm, said pinion engaging said rack arm for moving the same during a lowering of the liquid level within said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said first passage and the flow of liquid is controlled therethrough, and a sealing member on said feed tube engaging said discharge tube for closing said second passage, said sealing member being axially movable with said feed tube for opening said second passage.

7. In a cream separator including a supply can and a discharge tube for discharging liquid from said supply can; a metering valve assembly comprising a milkfeed tube disposed within said discharge tube and providing therewith iirst and second concentric passages, a support connected to said feed tube, said support extending upwardly within said supply can, a rack arm positioned adjacent said support for relative vertical movement, a metering member connected to said rack arm for movement therewith, said metering member including an annular tapering metering surface adapted to move axially within said lirst passage, a iloat arm pivotally connected to said support, a pinion movable by said float arm, and a float on said float arm, said pinion engaging said rack arm for moving the same during a lowering of the liquid level within said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said first passage and the flow of liquid is controlled therethrough.

8. In a cream separator including a supply can and a discharge tube for discharging liquid from said supply can; a metering valve assembly comprising a milkfeed tube disposed within said discharge tube and providing therewith first and second concentric passages, a support connected to said feed tube, said support extending upwardly within said supply can, a rack arm positioned adjacent said support for relative vertical movement, a metering member connected to said rack arm for movement therewith, said metering member including a metering surface adapted to move relative to said lirst passage, a oat arm pivotally connected to said support, a pinion movable by said oat arm, and a float on said float arm, said pinion engaging said rack arm for moving the same during a lowering of the liquid level within said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said first passage and the ilow of liquid is controlled therethrough.

9. In a cream separator including a supply can, a metering valve assembly comprising a milk-feed tube connected to said supply can, a support connected to said feed tube, said support extending upwardly within said supply can, a rack arm positioned adjacent said support for relative vertical movement, a metering member connected to said rack arm for movement therewith, said metering member including a metering surface adapted to move relative to said feed tube, a oat pivotally connected to said support, a pinion connected to and movable by said float, said pinion engaging said rack arm for moving the same during a lowering of the liquid level within said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said 'irst passage and the ow of liquid is controlled therethrough.

10. ln a cream separator including a supply can; a metering valve assembly comprising a milk-feed tube connected to said can, a support on said tube, a metering member movable relative to said tube, said member having a metering surface, a rack connected to said metering member, and a float including pinion means engaging said rack for moving the same vertically during a rise and fall of the liquid level of said can whereby said metering surface is moved relative to said tube to control the discharge of liquid therethrough.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 793,629 Anker-Holth July 4, 1905 1,176,478 Mohr Mar. 2l, 1916 2,504,261 Harstick Apr. 18, 1950 2-630.966 Harstick Mar. 10, 1953 

